Vibrato Violin

How to Do Vibrato on Violin

5/1/2020

Learn more innovative pedagogy methods here.

Learn How To Do Vibrato On The Violin With a New & Ergonomic Approach To Teaching Violinists Vibrato Using "Cello Position"

As a teacher, the hardest thing for me to dissect for my students was vibrato (raise your hand if you can relate). After 15 years of teaching, I finally figured out an ergonomic and effective protocol to unlock the mystery of learning vibrato on the violin. The keys to establishing proper vibrato technique lie in understanding what makes it hard in the first place:

The asymmetrical placement of the violin.
Going against gravity by "holding the violin up."

Once we take out these 2 elements, vibrato is clear to understand and easy to learn.

Watch the video below for a demonstration, a teaching sequence for younger players and tips for practicing.

This how-to learn vibrato on the violin video is for:

Teachers who want "more tools in their toolbox" to help students learn vibrato.
Students just learning vibrato and/or remediating their vibrato.
Performers who need to loosen their approach to vibrato.

Please visit the FREEBIES page for more resources to support left-hand technique:

Do you have a tip to help learn vibrato?
We would love to learn from you, please share in the comments below.

11 Comments

Peggy Harrison

5/1/2020 12:55:37 pm

Just got your nice note today ,Heather. Thank you! Love the little violin playing stickers!
Vibrato, yes, what a nightmare! I'm going through the process with three of my students right now. My process is very similar to yours. One is dedicated to the steps, but when he does the last step everything tenses up and he has a tight, fast vibrato. We're working on it.
The hardest for me has been getting a violin student who is a"converting" to viola to slow and relax his vibrato. An interesting challenge.
Thanks for all your tips and your warm, personal service!

Heather

5/4/2020 08:20:26 am

Thank you so much for taking a moment to connect. I am confident that with continued perseverance, your student's will find that "sweet spot" and learn how to relax. Again, thanks for the note! Heather

Ana Simonovska

5/3/2020 08:37:30 pm

This is wonderful idea about vibrato, Heather!! I will try it with some of my younger students after all this zoom/video lessons are over!!!
Thank you, I appreciate it!!!!

5/4/2020 08:21:32 am

Hi Ana! Thanks so much for the note. It made me smile because my Zoom lessons have had to shift focus from what I would concentrate on when in person. Some things just don't translate well in a Zoom lesson. Best wishes! Heather

Victoria Mull

6/10/2020 07:23:20 am

You come up with the best ideas. You are my favorite website. I love this idea about vibrato. I've been having my students use plastic eggs with rice inside. Shake the egg until you have the constant rhythmic sound. And you can practice anytime, anywhere.

heather

6/16/2020 11:57:33 am

Hello Victoria! Thank you so much for the kind words. I love that you replied with the egg shaker idea. I also use this and think it's a great tool for students - it provide instant feedback. Great comment. Best wishes, HF

Lori Getty

11/6/2020 05:28:02 pm

Heather, I love your vibrato lesson. I am a cellist and I have practiced violin vibrato with different people and gotten so frustrated. I totally agree with your step by step lesson for violin and yes it is how I teach cello vibrato. I like how you make it fun and simple to understand . Thank You.

11/6/2020 05:36:56 pm

Hello Lori,

Thank you so much for the comment. I am happy to hear this affirmation of this approach. Best wishes with your music making! Heather

Ronald D Foust

1/5/2022 09:52:30 am

Thank you for this simple break down of your concept. I'm going to introduce this with my students this week and track progress. I am happy to have found your site.

1/5/2022 10:13:52 am

Thanks Ronald, I am so happy to share and think the larger principles behind this (removing gravity & asymmetry + using stories to engage the learning process) are huge and have endless application in teaching/learning the violin. Let us know any insights on this subject. Best wishes and thanks again! HF

Tara

5/8/2024 07:14:41 am

Thanks for this video! You mentioned the story and teaching young children vibrato… what are your developmental milestones that must be reached before you start teaching vibrato to younger students? I use the suzuki repertoire. When I was a student I think it was pretty normal to start kids on vibrato in book 3. But I’m finding a lot of my teacher trainers start their kids as early as end of book 1/ beginning of book 2.

How to Do Vibrato on Violin

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